GIAA details $100M+ capital plan, upgrades to gates, floor and cybersecurity
February 16, 2026 | General Government Operations and Appropriations , Legislative, Guam, International
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The Guam International Airport Authority presented a project-by-project update on its capital improvement program and operations at a Senate oversight hearing, describing a portfolio of federally funded and airport-funded projects the agency says will modernize Guam's only commercial airport.
Frank Santos, GIAA's airport consultant, told the committee the authority has 15 projects in activity, roughly $97.4 million in FAA-funded work and about $9.7 million in airport-funded components as part of the 2025 portfolio. He listed near-term items that include a terminal floor replacement (terrazzo, expected completion April 2026), apron rehabilitation (affecting gates; completion expected June 2026), roof membrane work and solar-panel preparations, an update to the 150-noise exposure maps and a noise compatibility program, and a microgrid study to evaluate on-site power and resiliency.
Santos said the planned cargo apron is at 50% design with a rough order of magnitude estimate of $20 million to $43 million and hopes to go to bid in early 2027. He reported five passenger loading bridges have been ordered with staged deliveries and full delivery of the five units expected by Jan. 2027; additional contact gates and bridges are planned and will use federal funds.
GIAA managers described steps to increase non-aeronautical revenue through concessions and leases following adoption of policies and procedures under Public Law 38-21. They also reported operational gains: the airport increased carriers from seven to nine, serves about 15 destinations, averages roughly 60 flights daily and about 3,250 passenger arrivals per day in January 2026.
GIAA raised maintenance concerns about aging escalators and people-movers and said parts procurement is challenging; the authority plans to replace and modernize these systems as part of a five-year plan. The agency also described ongoing cybersecurity tabletop exercises and a recent multiagency simulation, "Black Hydra," to test response to coordinated cyber incidents.
Ending: Senators thanked GIAA for the project timelines and urged continued coordination with GVB and the administration on route development and visa-waiver efforts. The hearing was continued for further follow-up on projects and budgets.
Frank Santos, GIAA's airport consultant, told the committee the authority has 15 projects in activity, roughly $97.4 million in FAA-funded work and about $9.7 million in airport-funded components as part of the 2025 portfolio. He listed near-term items that include a terminal floor replacement (terrazzo, expected completion April 2026), apron rehabilitation (affecting gates; completion expected June 2026), roof membrane work and solar-panel preparations, an update to the 150-noise exposure maps and a noise compatibility program, and a microgrid study to evaluate on-site power and resiliency.
Santos said the planned cargo apron is at 50% design with a rough order of magnitude estimate of $20 million to $43 million and hopes to go to bid in early 2027. He reported five passenger loading bridges have been ordered with staged deliveries and full delivery of the five units expected by Jan. 2027; additional contact gates and bridges are planned and will use federal funds.
GIAA managers described steps to increase non-aeronautical revenue through concessions and leases following adoption of policies and procedures under Public Law 38-21. They also reported operational gains: the airport increased carriers from seven to nine, serves about 15 destinations, averages roughly 60 flights daily and about 3,250 passenger arrivals per day in January 2026.
GIAA raised maintenance concerns about aging escalators and people-movers and said parts procurement is challenging; the authority plans to replace and modernize these systems as part of a five-year plan. The agency also described ongoing cybersecurity tabletop exercises and a recent multiagency simulation, "Black Hydra," to test response to coordinated cyber incidents.
Ending: Senators thanked GIAA for the project timelines and urged continued coordination with GVB and the administration on route development and visa-waiver efforts. The hearing was continued for further follow-up on projects and budgets.
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